Ethel Catherwood

Ethel Catherwood, born on April 28, 1908, was a pioneering Canadian track and field athlete who made history at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Competing as part of Canada's inaugural Olympic women's track and field team, famously known as the 'Matchless Six', she achieved a remarkable feat by winning a gold medal in the high jump with a leap of 1.59 metres. This victory marked her as the first woman in Olympic history to secure a gold medal in the high jump event.

Before her Olympic triumph, Catherwood had already established herself as one of Canada's leading high jumpers, holding several national titles. Her exceptional height and athletic prowess allowed her to dominate the women's high jump scene in Canada during the late 1920s, positioning her as a formidable competitor in the inaugural Olympic women's high jump event.

Following her groundbreaking success in Amsterdam, Catherwood chose to retire from international competition while still in her early twenties. Her gold medal win contributed significantly to Canada's strong showing in the first Olympic program to include women's athletics, where the Matchless Six collectively earned multiple medals, solidifying Canada's reputation as a leading nation in early international women's track and field.